75% of scholarship recipients in 2018 were females, total scholars
supported will reach 500 in 2019
DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, the Western
Union Foundation announces applications are open for the third
annual WU
Scholars* program. Aimed at advancing opportunities for women,
youth, migrants and refugees who are pursuing a post-secondary education
in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, business
and entrepreneurship; the program helps students achieve skills for
in-demand 21st century careers.
“On this week leading up to International Women’s Day, we will hear
about many efforts to advance women,” Executive Director of the Western
Union Foundation, Elizabeth Roscoe said. “We were proud that 75% of
scholarship recipients in 2018 were female. We know that education is a
fundamental cornerstone and critical focus for advancing economic
opportunity in communities, especially for women around the world.”
Recipients are chosen based on their accomplishments and personal goals
related to the program’s three pillars: perseverance, aspiration, and
community-mindedness. To apply, students must complete the application,
available at www.WUScholars.org.
Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2019 at 11:59pm EST.
Selected applicants will be notified in June.
Since first launching
in 2017, the WU Scholars Program has awarded 338
scholarships to post-secondary students from 89 countries,
representing 269 colleges and universities from across the world.
Selected students aim to help solve
major global challenges, including developing sustainable energy
solutions and preventative treatments for diseases.
WU Scholars is part of the Western Union Foundation’s signature
workforce training program, Education
for Better, that has reached more than 100,000 since inception with
a high number receiving transformational 21st century job skill training
by the year 2020.
The WU Scholars is part of more than $1M in grants that will be awarded
by the Western Union Foundation this quarter, to non-profit
organizations supporting education globally, including programs in
Mexico, India, Philippines, United States and the United Kingdom this
quarter.
To learn more about the Western Union Foundation, visit our website wu.com/foundation
and see our 2018 Global Impact Report http://on.wu.com/WUF2018Impact.
* The Program is administered and operated by the Institute of
International Education, Inc. (IIE) a US private not-for-profit.
About the Western Union Foundation
The Western Union Foundation believes that education is one of the
surest pathways to economic opportunity. Through collaborations with
NGOs around the world, the Foundation has embarked on a mission to
connect 50,000 migrants, refugees, women and youth to the global economy
through demand-driven skills training and workforce enablement programs
by 2020. The Foundation also offers a global scholarship program that
helps put a post-secondary education in reach for in-need students
studying in the STEM fields and business. To date, more than $119
million has been given to fund projects affecting more than 820,000
people in 137 countries across the globe, including disaster relief for
communities in crisis. The Western Union Foundation is a separate
charitable corporation that is tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the US
Internal Revenue Code, and receives support from The Western Union
Company, its employees, agents and business partners. Contributions to
the Foundation are tax-deductible for US income tax purposes. To learn
more, visit www.westernunionfoundation.org
or follow us on Twitter @TheWUFoundation.
Contacts
Rachel Rogala, Western Union
+1 (303) 808-2674, Rachel.Rogala@wu.com
